3:10pm

Quakes alive!

No damage to Indian Point nuclear plant in east coast quake

The quake was centered in Virginia, but people are reporting feeling it as far away as Ithaca.

Courtesy photoUSGS

We're following up on how the today's 5.9 5.8 (see 3:50 update below) magnitude earthquake might have affected infrastructure and energy operations, but right off the bat, you can breathe a sigh of relief, per the governor's office:

Currently, there have been no reports of damage to buildings, bridges, roads, power grids, the Indian Point nuclear power plant, or other infrastructure.

The chance of core damage from a quake at Indian Point 3 is estimated at 1 in 10,000 each year. Under NRC guidelines, this rating is very close to requiring “immediate concern regarding adequate protection” of the public. The two reactors at Indian Point generate up to one-third of the electricity for Manhattan. The second reactor, Indian Point 2, does not rate as risky, with an annual chance of 1 in 30,303.

Due to overload of cell phone usage, there are reports of cell phone congestion. We request that members of the public use email or text messages if possible to communicate for the next few hours, except in cases of emergency, so that emergency officials can continue to receive and respond to urgent calls. We encourage everyone in the affected areas to listen to the direction of their local officials. More information will be provided as it becomes available.

Hear that kids? The federal government is explicitly asking you to text!

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